VMware Expands Focus on Communication Service Provider and Telco Market, Promotes Shekar Ayyar to Executive Vice President and GM, Telco Group

PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwired - November 22, 2016) - VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), a global leader in cloud infrastructure and business mobility, today announced an expanded focus on communication service providers (CSPs) and telecommunications carriers (telcos), and the promotion of Shekar Ayyar to Executive Vice President and General Manager, Telco Group. Ayyar leads VMware's effort to accelerate the digital transformation of the telecommunications industry through the company's innovative Cross-Cloud Architecture™, and software-defined infrastructure for network functions virtualization (NFV). Ayyar reports to CEO Pat Gelsinger, and will also continue to lead VMware's strategy and corporate business development activities.

Today there are more than 400 CSPs and Telcos globally, many of which are looking to accelerate innovation and launch new services faster, easier and with less expense. With VMware, CSPs and Telcos can combine network, cloud, mobility and IT architectures into a converged platform for network services and applications with over-the-top agility and industry standard economics. VMware enables organizations to deploy a multi-vendor and multi-function NFV platform, based on VMware's Cross-Cloud Architecture, that is OpenStack compatible and supports diverse network functions and applications. VMware currently has more than 80 NFV production deployments with leading global service providers across all geographies, deployed directly as well as through Network Equipment Provider (NEP) partners and Virtual Network Function (VNF) vendors. Today VMware has certified 24 virtual network functions from 20 vendors as VMware Ready for NFV, with a strong pipeline of additional VNFs awaiting certification.

"VMware is in a unique position to enable the transformational benefits of NFV for service providers given its leadership position in virtualization technology," said Pat Gelsinger, chief executive officer, VMware. "Shekar's experience as a proven leader, with the right combination of knowledge and strategic thinking, will help expand VMware's already strong foothold in the Telco market."

Ayyar holds more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in enterprise software, communications and semiconductors. In leading VMware's Strategy and Corporate Development function, Ayyar is responsible for aligning strategy across VMware businesses as well as managing the company's mergers and acquisitions, and strategic investments. Under his leadership the company has executed on several acquisitions including Nicira and AirWatch, and established itself as a leading provider of NFV infrastructure. Prior to joining VMware, Ayyar held senior roles at Lucent Technologies (now part of Nokia), BindView (acquired by Symantec), and Instantis (acquired by Oracle), spanning product management, marketing, and business development, and was also a consultant with McKinsey & Co.

About VMware
VMware, a global leader in cloud infrastructure and business mobility, helps customers accelerate their digital transformation. VMware enables enterprises and service providers to master a software-defined approach to business and IT with VMware Cross-Cloud Architecture™ and solutions for the data center, mobility, and security. With 2015 revenue of $6.6 billion, VMware is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA and has over 500,000 customers and 75,000 partners worldwide.

VMware, Cross-Cloud Architecture, and AirWatch are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions.

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